‘Unannounced’ weekend lockdown takes traders by surprise

Say tourists present in J&K, daily earners suffer due to unplanned decisions

Srinagar, Jan 15 (KNO): The imposition of weekend lockdown without making any announcement has led to the sufferings of tourists as well as the losses to the traders; alleged trade bodies, stating that the unexpected decision has surprised all in the Valley.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCC&I) president, Sheikh Ashiq said that it was surprising to see the government imposing a lockdown today without making any prior notice.

“The business fraternity are well concerned citizens as well. Covid was not new for the people as it exists for the past three years now. The traders have always stood to save lives and livelihood also. But, the decision came as a surprise to all,” he said.

Ashiq further added that the decision should have been planned and conveyed to the people before as it was not a matter of a day only, but a long planning issue. He also said that such decisions come as a jolt for the people, who are daily earners.

He also said that after today’s unannounced lockdown, they have received reports from different parts, claiming that the tourists present in the Valley faced immense hardships throughout the day due to unexpected and surprising decisions.

Kashmir Traders Manufacturing Federation (KTMF), president, Muhammad Yaseen Khan said that it is unfortunate that such a decision as taken without taking the traders on board.

He said that in Jammu, the traders were taken on board and they were informed about the decision much before the order was issued, adding that the administration doesn’t take such a decision without taking the people on board.

Khan said that this decision should have been conveyed to the traders at least two days back.

Notably, the government imposed lockdown today across J&K in order to prevent the Covid-19—(KNO)